Fertilizer placement for horticultural crops

Abstract

In field experiments on vegetable crops dressings of appropriate fertilizers were placed 2 in. to the side of the seed and 2–3 in. below the soil surface, and compared with the same amounts of fertilizer broadcast and worked into the surface soil. The work was carried out on ordinary arable land carrying rotations which included vegetables.Placing fertilizer gave higher yields of cabbage, lettuce, beetroot, onions, broad beans, runner beans and maize, than broadcasting. Fertilizer, however applied, had no regular effect on the yield of french beans.Both placed and broadcast fertilizer were tested at two rates of dressing. On average of all experiments on each crop, placing fertilizer at the low rate gave higher yields than broadcasting at the high rate. Broadcast fertilizer had little effect on yields of runner beans and broad beans, while placed dressings gave marked increases.In two-thirds of all individual experiments placing gave higher yields than broadcasting, and in one-third of the experiments placement was significantly better than broadcasting. There were no instances of significantly higher yields from broadcasting as compared with placing.Placing fertilizer made most of the crops grow more rapidly in the early stages than broadcasting, this improvement being often reflected in earlier maturity. For cabbage, lettuce and runner beans the relative gains from placing, as compared with broadcasting fertilizer, were much higher at the first than at the second harvest.By drilling fertilizer beside the seed of vegetable crops grown on ordinary soils, it is possible to economize in the dressings needed. In addition, some crops having placed fertilizer may be ready for market earlier. These advantages may be very profitable where high-value crops are grown and will justify the purchase of special placement drills.A small series of field experiments on established Brussels sprouts and autumn-planted cabbages compared mid-season top-dressings of nitrogen fertilizer broadcast by hand over the whole soil surface, with dressings placed at one point beneath the surface and near to the plants. The dressings used had practically no effect on yields of Brussels sprouts. Top-dressings broadcast in spring increased yields appreciably in two experiments on cabbage, and at both centres placing gave lower yields than broadcasting.

Organic matter fractions and N mineralization in vegetable‐cropped sandy soils

“…The advantage of P placement in onions has previously been proved by Cooke et al (1956), Mulkey et al (1979), and Henriksen (1985). Their overall conclusion is that plant production was influenced more by placement than the rate of application.…”

“…The optimum distance between the starter fertilizer and the onion seeds has been shown to be 5-10 cm (Cooke et al, 1956;Mulkey et al, 1979;Henriksen, 1985). Shorter distances may be harmful to young plant roots and result in reduced plant growth.…”

Effects of band placement and nitrogen rate on dry matter accumulation, yield and nitrogen uptake of cabbage, carrot and onion

“…Although vegetable yields were increased in early experiments with the band placement (Cooke et al 1956), later research has not shown a clear advantage for band application in comparison with broadcast application (Neeteson 1995). Recent studies in England have shown that side-dressing with a small amount of NP fertilizer might hasten plant development and increase plant yield (e.g.…”

“…The distance between onion rows is commonly about 30 cm, and as onion has a sparse root system (Portas 1973, Greenwood et al 1982, it might be expected to benefit from placement of N. Placement of NPK fertilizers (Cooke et al 1956, Dragland 1992 in England and Norway or NP fertilizers (Sø-rensen 1996) in Denmark has resulted in slightly higher onion yields compared to broadcasting. According to the results of Henriksen (1987), this effect might be caused mainly by phosphorous.…”

“…Placement of NPK fertilizers has resulted in 12% (Cooke et al 1956) or 9% (Dragland 1992) higher onion yields when compared to broadcasting of NPK fertilizer. Estimating the influence of N and P on growth can be done from the experiments of Henriksen (1987) where placement of monoammoniumphosphate to onion sets gave the best yield, placement of superphosphate some yield increase and placement of ammoniumsulphate did not affect yield compared to broadcasting of nutrients.…”